In a few short months The Temple Bar Tradfest in Dublin will celebrate its 10th birthday with a fantastic eclectic line-up of talent as befits such a milestone.
If you are looking for an excuse to get away for a few days then Dublin is the place to head for between January 28 and February 1.
From its humble, but ambitious, beginnings in 2005 as a small niche festival, selling just 500 tickets in the first year, this festival has grown into a major attraction on the festival calendar.
The fact that it managed to weather the awful recession that followed the financial crisis of 2007-2008 is testament to the spirit, hard work and dedication of the organisers - The Temple Bar Company which was set up in 2003 to promote the arts, tourism, trade and commerce in this central area of the capital and to make it a leading entertainment, business and cultural quarter.
It has certainly managed to do just that in some style.
While the festival has grown in terms of ticket sales it has also expanded to include not just traditional musicians but also folk and nu-folk artists and even some that probably might not fit too snugly under the general folk and trad umbrella in normal circumstances.
On a personal level I love the mixture because it exposes folk and trad artists to a slightly different audience that might not readily rush to hear them while also giving that audience a chance to appreciate some great folk and trad talent that they might not get to see normally.
This year’s line-up is certainly varied but yet it all manages to fit nicely together.
It will feature legends from the past alongside acts who are currently riding high and some that will undoubtedly attain legendary status in years to come.
The biggest problem is deciding which concerts to attend on any given night.
On Wednesday 28 do you choose the trad sounds of DeBarra at Dublin City Hall or the soul/gospel/trad influenced rock of The Hothouse Flowers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral or the folk/blues sound of Marc O’Reilly & The Hard Ground at St. Werburgh’s Church. Tough choice.
Thursday would not present quite as difficult a problem for me.
The Irish Concertina Ensemble is at Dublin City Hall and Sean Lakeman & Kathryn Roberts are in St.Werburgh’s Church. However, Sweeney’s Men at St.Patrick’s Cathedral would be my destination.
The trio of Andy Irvine, Terry Woods and Johnny Moynihan were a seminal influence on the folk and ballad revival of ‘60’s and ‘70’s in Ireland and beyond. They re-united for Andy’s birthday gig in 2012 and have not looked back.
A must-see gig with no disrespect intended to the other great concerts on the night.
Friday sees the lovely talented Derry songstress Cara Dillon & Band in St Michan’s Church while Danú grace the stage at St. Werburgh’s Church.
Immaculate piper, Liam O’Flynn, along with Paddy Glackin, Neill Martin and Micheal O’Sulleabhain will be in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
If a heavy sound is your choice then the mighty Undertones are at The Button Factory.
Matt Molloy, John Carty and Arty McGlynn are in Dublin City Hall on Saturday while Beóga & Big Band are at The Button Factory.
Seven –piece Coda bring their unique singing ability to St. Werburgh’s Church but I suspect the main focus on the night will be the appearance of the legendary Donovan at The Printworks in Dublin Castle.
Highly rated Scottish singer/songwriter Karine Polwart will be in St. Michan’s Church while Brighton folk-rockers The Levellers will certainly liven up St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Sunday, February 1 is an early gig starting at 5.50pm with ‘radical trad’ 4-piece Lynched.
Some of the venues are worth a visit on their own even without the entertainment factor so click here for full details.
